ABYAN, Aug. 5 – A suicide bombing claimed 45 lives and wounded 40 others Saturday evening during a funeral service held by the head of the Popular Committees, Abdu Al-Teef Al-Sayid, in Al-Mashroa in Ja'ar.

The deputy manager of Aden’s security, who requested that his name remain unpublished, said a militant infiltrated the funeral, where mourners gathered to pay tribute after the death of Al-Sayid's nephew. It was during the funeral that the suicide bomb went off, killing and injuring dozens.

The deputy manager said Al-Sayid was affiliated with Al-Qaeda, yet he defected and sided with the army months ago, indicating that Al-Qaeda mainly intended to target Al-Sayid.

Two of Al-Sayid’s brothers were killed in the assault. He himself sustained minor injuries and was immediately taken to a hospital in Ja'ar, according to the deputy manager.

Regarding the security situation, he said Al-Qaeda militants have rapidly started building up their activities in Ja'ar, claiming that the army didn’t chase Al-Qaeda to break into their strongholds and arrest them; the army expelled them from Abyan and then withdrew.

He said Al-Qaeda militants still hold strong positions and they may reclaim the city anew.

Anwar Mohammed, an eyewitness to the bombing, said the incident was horrifying and intimidating. He said a large number of those dead and injured were transferred to Aden Hospital, and others were hospitalized in Al-Razi Hospital, which was restored last week after a lengthy closure.

Mohammed said there was an absence of security in Ja'ar. He said Central Security Forces, Public Security, and Reinforcement Forces were all unavailable.

“Only the Popular Committees protect and manage the district.”